Why is it so important to recognize UA’s “Best” each year? There are several reasons. First of all, they deserve it! They have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to reach their personal goals and the goals the Company has set for them, and those efforts must be recognized, appreciated and rewarded. Not only do they provide us with role models, their achievements show us that the goals they have reached are literally out there waiting for the rest of us.

What’s the best way to achieve that success? Prospecting, recruiting and promotion! We’ve talked a great deal these past months about the importance of recruiting and how recruiting is critical to Branch growth and expansion. Our 2004 winners prove this theory with gusto! Our three top Branch Managers – Jeff Miller, Ron Seroka and Pat Giachetti – all have consistently high numbers in the area of recruitment as a result of the outstanding efforts of their teams. Their personal hard work, coupled with the enthusiastic prospecting and recruiting efforts of their Unit Managers and Agents, has brought a wealth of talent into their Branches. With a total of 229 recruits among them in 2004, it’s not surprising that these seasoned professionals are our top producers!

Recruiting efforts for promotions have been a strong focus for UA in 2005 and will continue to be for 2006. Our Leadership Development Board (LDB) is well versed in the value of recruiting from new Branch Manager promotions. Out of the 4,554 UA recruits who came aboard in 2004, 944 – over 20 percent of them – joined UA through the Branches of our LDB members. Their recruiting efforts are only the beginning. Training and support generated by the Branches and the Home Office keep the recruits in high gear. These recruits are UA’s future, and the members of our LDB have made a concentrated effort to create the best possible future...beginning now.

Great recruiting generates great Agents, veterans and first year alike. First year Agent production is of tremendous importance to Branch success, and our first year Agents come through every time. For several reasons – the excellent training we offer, the outstanding compensation package that’s available, or that UA enthusiasm to do a job well – it all boils down to superior production. In the first quarter of 2005, for example, total production for all Agents was $18,236,984. First year Agents generated $11,661,499 of that total. Figures for the second quarter of 2005 were even better. Production for all Agents was $20,291,764, with $13,489,166 produced by first year Agents. The importance of recruiting to create a steady flow of first year Agents is vital to the Company’s success, yet, it’s the standard set by our veteran Agents that guide and instruct our recruits in how to achieve that success. When our recruits learn from the “Best,” they become the “Best.”

Good promotions, which are just as critical as solid prospecting and recruiting, pay off in a big way. Jeff Miller, for instance, promoted four Unit Managers to Branch Managers – Ray Jetton to Branch E9, Greg Gorman to Branch 86, John Paul Caswell to Branch 06 and John Hamilton to Branch 61. Since these new BMs took over, their total inforce production has been almost equal to the inforce production Jeff has generated since becoming a Branch Manager himself. Ron Seroka’s promotion of Sheryl Sisler to G8 Branch Manager, Ron Purtell to H4 Branch Manager, Jason Gsoell to F8 Branch Manager and indirectly James Handy to H3 Branch Manager resulted in total inforce production equal to approximately 38 percent of Ron’s personal Branch inforce production since he became a Branch Manager. Rex Smedley’s promotion of Irene Burns to G9 Branch Manager and John Holmes to H5 Branch Manager resulted in total inforce production equal to 70 percent of the inforce production produced by Rex’s Branch since his appointment as Branch Manager. The goals are in place, and our LDB members recognize the wealth of talent we have available to reach those goals!

Through the efforts of our Leadership Development Board members and other Branch Managers, UA’s Branches are in skillful, dedicated hands for decades to come. Dennis Mitchell’s promotion of Justin White to G7 Branch Manager is a prime example. Justin has held the Rookie Manager slot almost every month this year. Craig Villwock, who was recently promoted by Pat Giachetti to H1 Branch Manager, took his place in June and July. Justin and several of our LDB members have consistently ranked in the top five in first
year Agent production for 2005, and we know this trend will
only continue!

Our Leadership Development Board members know ability when they see it, and don’t hesitate to provide the avenue, the training and the ongoing support those individuals need to succeed! These dedicated Agents, Unit Managers and Branch Managers make us the great Company we are today and the greater Company we shall be tomorrow. Congratulations to all our 2004 award winners and to all who supported their efforts and helped make their achievements possible. You are the best of United American!